A local mayor is slamming the International Joint Commission for its studied indifference to the plight of riverfront residents and business affected by high water.

Corinna Smith-Gatcke of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands said its residents are frustrated by the lack of action by the IJC and are terrified that 2020 will be even worse because the water levels still remain high.

“People are panicking because there is not enough time to fortify their property,” Smith-Gatcke said. “The panic that is gripping us all at this point is because the scientists and engineers have said that if we don’t get the water out now, then 2020 is going to be worse.”

This week, the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, which manages Lake Ontario flows, said the water levels continue to decline but they are still 0.45 metres above average at this time of year.

The agency said it is continuing to keep the outflows high “while considering the effects on all interests” but it predicts the river and lake will remain high into next spring.

“Although it is too early for accurate predictions, ILOSLRB forecasts are suggesting that 2020 will likely begin with above average water levels,” it said in this week’s statement.

That could be bad news for the property owners who saw record high water in 2017 and again this year.

When local MP Michael Barrett arranged a meeting with IJC commissioners and area riverfront mayors and officials in August, Smith-Gatcke said they were hopeful that the IJC was finally listening. The commission officials promised to communicate better and to hold a public meeting with affected residents.

That meeting never happened because the IJC said it didn’t want to hold meetings during the federal election campaign.

Last week, Smith-Gatcke wrote the commission to express her frustration at the delay, adding that the extensive damage to shorelines, businesses, wildlife and residences can’t be ignored.

Even if the IJC doesn’t want to hold the meeting during the election campaign, it could plan it now to be held after Oct. 21, she said.

Smith-Gatcke said she feels that the August meeting was only meant to placate local officials.

“Election period or not, moving forward is imperative as time is moving along,” the mayor wrote. “Our residents and business owners are at a standstill. Some are unsure that they can continue to run their businesses. Some are wondering if they repair the damage again, they will be faced with further devastation yet again in 2020.”

In a letter this week, the IJC responded that it “regrets the disappointment” of Smith-Gatcke and her colleagues toward the IJC’s response to flooding.

But IJC secretaries Camille Mageau (Canadian) and Charles Lawson (U.S.) committed the IJC to an “accelerated review” of Plan 2014. Smith-Gatcke and others blame the Plan 2014 protocols for keeping levels high for environmental reasons at the expense of property owners.

The IJC is “fully committed” to reducing water levels further, the commissioners said in the letter. They said the IJC is planning a webinar to explain Plan 2014 and the board’s strategy for the remainder of 2019 and early next year.